Duterte to visit White House soon? Trump expresses support for Duterte's anti-drug campaign

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had a "very engaging, animated" talk on the phone with US President-elect Donald Trump Friday evening, Special Assistant to the President Christopher 'Bong' Go said in a statement.

The call, which was lasted for just over seven minutes, focused on the reaffirmation of “the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments would continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern.”

Go said the Philippines president had invited Trump to come to his country next year when it is chair of a series of summits of the Association of South East Asian Nations. Trump also invited Duterte to visit the White House next year.

Duterte revealed that Trump expressed his support for our government's efforts to eradicate illegal drugs in the country.

“He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs. And he wishes me well ... in my campaign and he said that ... we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way,” Duterte said in a statement.

Following the shock election of the property tycoon as US President, the controversial Filipino leader congratulated him, saying: “Long live Mr Trump! We both curse at the slightest reason. We are alike,” he said.